Do you struggle with the dry, itchy skin caused by eczema?

Have you wondered if your diet is contributing to your eczema flare-ups?

If so, read on as we explore the benefits of adopting an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema. 

What is Eczema?

Eczema is an inflammatory response to an irritant that causes redness, dryness, irritation and itching on the skin. It is known by several other names including atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis.

What Causes Eczema? 

According to the National Eczema Association, about 31 million people in America are currently living with eczema. The cause isn’t clearly understood, but it’s believed that genetics and environmental or dietary triggers contribute to skin inflammation known as eczema.  

Common eczema triggers can be laundry detergent, lotions, skin care products, shampoo, soap, pet dander, dust mites, pollen, foods, and even hormones. 

Typical Treatments for Eczema

While there is no cure for eczema, there are several treatments that can help relieve symptoms during flare-ups. Avoiding triggers by eliminating the most likely suspects is a great place to start.

A typical medical treatment would be a topical cortisol-steroid cream. The cream would ideally work to moisturize the skin, protect it from irritation, and relieve itching. If the topical treatment doesn’t provide relief, oral steroids or an injection may be prescribed.

If these treatments don’t work or provide the relief you’re looking for, a diet change may help to improve and reduce flare-ups. 

Elimination Diet for Eczema

Since eczema is an inflammatory response to something in the environment, which could include diet, it makes sense that removing foods that cause inflammation could be helpful. 

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reports that 30% of kids under age 5 who have eczema also suffer from at least one food allergy. The most common food allergens linked to eczema are eggs, milk, wheat, soy, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. 

Eliminating these foods for a period of two weeks or more and reintroducing one at a time over the course of several weeks is known as an elimination diet. With each food reintroduced, pay attention to the body’s response. If there are no inflammatory responses (eczema flare-ups), the food is probably safe to remain in your diet. 

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Eczema

After eliminating foods, you may feel frustrated or even depressed if many foods were eliminated long-term. Consider following an anti-inflammatory diet plan for eczema. 

While saturated fats and Omega-6 fats should be reduced, monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 fats should be increased. So instead of vegetable oils, choose olive or coconut oils. Instead of red meat, choose salmon. 

If you follow an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema relief, be sure to avoid refined carbohydrates and sugars. Be sure to increase your fruits and vegetables. 

Consider adding the following supplements to your diet. 

• Probiotics (good gut health)
• Fish oil
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B6
• Bromelain 
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Hemp Seed Oil
• Sunflower Oil

You can read more about the use of CBD oil for eczema at Pinnacle Hemp. 

Eat Well to Be Well

There are several options for the treatment and prevention of eczema. We know that the best diet for eczema is that one that you can stick to. We hope you’ll consider adding an anti-inflammatory diet for eczema to your arsenal for keeping flare-ups in check. 

If you’ve enjoyed this article, be sure to read more health-related articles here on this blog.  

     If adventure is what you seek, there is no greater way to see your vacation destinations than by helicopter. Imagine yourself flying amongst the clouds as you glide through the sky in a helicopter – the mind blown by the incredible views. There is no better way to enjoy attractions then up a couple of thousand feet in a rotary-winged machine. They may be loud but a helicopter ride will easily be the most memorable experience from any vacation. Check out the best destinations to take a helicopter ride and see things from a truly unique vantage point. 

Las Vegas

     Las Vegas is one of the busiest helicopter tour destinations, with plenty to see in a short ride. From the Vegas strip to the Hoover Dam to the granddaddy of them all, the Grand Canyon. A helicopter is the only way to see the Grand Canyon in all its glory and majesty. The Grand Canyon is over 270 miles long and can be 15 miles across; something that grand needs a copter to see it fully.

Niagara Falls

     Most people will tell you the best view of Niagara Falls is from a boat in the water beneath the falls, but that’s not true, obviously, the best view is from a helicopter. Niagara Falls is just a massive sight to see and with all the tourists that jam the site, it can be difficult to have a perfect vantage point. If you really want an amazing view that is unforgettable, you must see the falls from a helicopter. Imagine the immense beauty of something so powerful as Niagara Falls seen from above in the peace of a smoothly flying helicopter.

Kauai, Hawaii

     If you have seen the beginning scene of Jurassic Park then you know that in Kauai there are waterfalls only accessible by helicopter. Kauai is known as the garden island because it’s so lush and only 20% of the island is accessible by car. The island has many amazing sights that have to be seen by helicopter to understand how massive they are. The Na Pali Coast is the Western side of the Island and is characterized by the huge, steep mountains covered in green ferns. The entire side of the island is unreachable by car and a helicopter is the only way to see it or you can traverse the 17 miles up and down over a two-day hike. The Waimea Canyon is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific as its massive and beautiful. Plus there are a dozen or so mega waterfalls you have to see from a helicopter.

New York City

     New York City is the mega-metropolis city that we all love and never have enough time to see it all when we visit. If you want to really understand how huge NYC is, you have to see it from a helicopter. Imagine flying between the skyscrapers, above the central park and around the Statue of Liberty. New York is such an expansive city it’s nearly impossible to catch it all in one trip, but a great way to check it out is a few hundred feet up, in a whirlybird.

     Drinking beer is always a great time, but doing it in a grungy bar can get old. Feel good about sipping your suds by drinking in a beautiful beer garden. You will have tons of room in a magnificent outdoor bar where you can stretch out and really take down a pint or two.
“But where are these gardens?” I hear you asking.

HOFBRAUHAUS, MUNICH, GERMANY

     This is the beer garden that started them all. The Hofbrauhaus has been in business since the 1500s which means they know what they’re doing when it comes to brewing the brew. That makes this the ideal place to get a humongous mug of brew and slurp it on down.

MOUNT TAKAO BEER MOUNT, TOKYO

     Head on over to a beer garden at one of the highest elevations in the world at the Mount Takao Beer Mount. This destination will give you fantastic views of the beautiful skyline of Tokyo which you can marvel at while chugging down a nice ale. The only way to get up there is either hike up or ride in a cable car.

BOHEMIAN HALL AND BEER GARDEN, ASTORIA, NEW YORK

     Head over to Queens and get your beer drinking on at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden. You can play ping-pong here as well as listen to live music so you don’t have to talk to your friends that much. Now you can say “Hey! I’m drinkin’ here!”

KONIGLICHER HIRSCHGARTEN, MUNICH, GERMANY

     If you want to find the biggest beer garden you can then head to Koniglicher Hirschgarten. This place is smack dab in the middle of a 100-acre-park so you have beautiful sprawling views of Munich and some tasty brews to boot. Now that sounds too good to be…brew.

CAFE VLISSINGHE, BRUGES, BELGIUM

     Head to Bruges’s oldest bar at the Cafe Vlissinghe. If you need a place to wash all that chocolate down then grab a drink here. In one word, this bar is charming. Actually, in four words it’s charming to the max.

LETNA BEER GARDEN, PRAGUE

     This beer garden has one seriously awesome view. You can drink while strolling along the Vltava River. If you’ve ever done some drinking around a river then you know it is quite possibly the best place to suck down on some suds. This place is great because it gives you the option of hiking with your brew or just taking it easy and taking it all in.

BROUWERIJ ‘T IJ, AMSTERDAM

     This place used to be a bathhouse and now it’s still relaxing its patrons but this time with beers, not steam rooms. This place is beautiful mostly because it is directly next to a huge windmill making it for a real unique drinking experience. Now that is definitely too good to be brew.